40
REECE
“Who told you not to tell me anything?” Aurora’s face is pale, her voice wobbly. She’s putting the pieces together and is on the verge of a meltdown. “It was Ethan, wasn’t it?”
She’s not an idiot. She knows Hugo’s parting words were a threat. He wants Jax to know he’s following his wife and got close enough to talk to her. Couple that with Jax’s erratic behavior, and I’m surprised she hasn’t had a panic attack, fearing he’s in danger.
I give her a pointed glance. “Who else is in charge of this family?”
“Fucking bullshit,” she mutters.
We’re on our way to the game in Jackson’s armored SUV, my partner and another agent following close behind. Not that I’m concerned. It’s more of a show of force.
Without support from the LAPD, Hugo is powerless. He would’ve never made police chief if not for Kyle’s corruption, and going after a federal agent would be career suicide.
Hugo is nervous and desperate, driving him to pursue Aurora. We’ve found nothing that suggests his authority stretches beyond LA. He may have a few politicians in his back pocket, but none who’ll impede Homeland Security.
In situations like these, walking the line sucks ass, but now is not the time to go rogue. I need my team behind me to protect Aurora—and Jax—and eliminate men like Hugo.
Besides, I’ve got Ethan for the shady shit.
I take her hand and kiss her knuckles. Again, I should’ve seated her in the back, but I worried the isolation would upset her further.
“Angel, it’s okay?—”
She cuts me off with a scathing glare. “No! It’s not okay!” She yanks her hand from mine. “Do you know how stupid I feel? I’m living in a dream world, being spoiled, thinking we’re safe to go on dates while you’re placating me, distracting me like a child.”
Her voice breaks, and I pull into the first parking spot I find. I throw the vehicle into park and unbuckle my seat belt. Charlie drives by, likely to circle the block until I’m ready.
I cup her face and draw her angry gaze to mine. “You’ve been worked up lately. We’re reducing your sugar intake.”
She attempts to twist away. “Don’t. Just take me home.”
I caress her jawline with my thumb. “We’re not going home. It’s safer to attend the game. While we’re there, Charlie will watch the house.”
Her hands grip my wrists, her breathing slows, and she leans into my touch. “Jax won’t like that.”
“He’ll get over it. Your security is more important than his paranoia.”
“It’s not paranoia if it’s real. You should’ve told me it was this serious.
” Tears well in her eyes, catching the rays of the setting sun and turning her irises a golden amber.
“I feel awful. This is a repeat of Kyle, and you’re all dealing with it while I’m making plans to sip lattes, buy books, and go on vacations.
I could’ve stayed home. You don’t have to babysit me. ”
I kiss her forehead, then her nose. “Wherever you are, I’ll be.
If it’s home or the bookstore, LA or New York, it doesn’t matter.
I’ve been with you since day one. I’ve chased down your husband’s private jet and tracked your boyfriend’s team to a hotel in Long Island—to find you .
” I press my lips to hers, but only for a moment.
Otherwise, we might never leave. “It’s okay to be happy, even when things are falling apart. We want you blissfully unaware.”
Her lip quivers, and her eyes search mine. “This guy is using me to threaten Jax, right?”
I nod. Her tears spill over, and I brush them away.
“What does he want?”
“For Jax to remain silent.”
“Is he?”
“No.”
“Then we stay home.”
“Okay.”
We stare at each other, music playing low in the background.
“Special Agent Crombie, huh?”
I can’t resist kissing her again, loving the sound of my name coming from her lips.
“It’s short for Abercrombie, but don’t tell your husband. He’ll never let it go.”
Her fingers loosen from my wrists and intertwine with mine. She rests against the seat and furrows her brows. “This relationship will hurt you far more than me.”
“Someone once told me a story about an agent who married a Mafia don’s daughter. I’ll be fine.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not a daughter of the Mafia.”
“Nope, just a girlfriend.”
With a slight smile, she shakes her head. “That’s not true.”
“Okay,” I draw out, my tone heavy with sarcasm. “Have you heard Ethan threaten me? It’s as if the Devil himself is growling from the depths of Hell.” I feign a shudder. “Fucking frightening.”
Finally, she laughs. “Believe me, he’s given me worse.”
I arch a brow. “There’s a worse offense than messing with Jax?”
“Yeah.” A mischievous grin spreads across her lips. “Messing around with you.”